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- La Conner Schools
- Welcome to the 2023-2024 School Year
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Greetings to all Families and Friends of the Braves,
I hope this letter finds you in great spirits and that you and your students had a wonderful summer break filled with joy and memorable experiences. As the start of the 2023-2024 school year rapidly approaches, we are thrilled to welcome you back to our school community and extend a warm greeting to our new families. As your child’s education team, our staff, and our families must work together to ensure your child is successful and has the best learning experience. We firmly believe that each student has the potential to achieve greatness, and with your support and cooperation, we are excited to embark on this journey together.
Over the summer, we were proud to witness the success of our summer learning programs, which served nearly 182 students. These programs offered engaging and enriching experiences to prevent learning loss and encourage students' curiosity. We are confident that the momentum from these programs will carry forward into the new school year.
Our dedicated teachers and staff have worked diligently throughout the summer to prepare for the upcoming academic year. They have invested their time and efforts into refining the curriculum, organizing extracurricular activities, and creating a safe and nurturing environment for all our students. I would like to thank our hardworking maintenance and operations team and custodians for tirelessly working to ensure our classrooms and campuses look fantastic as we roll out the red carpet to welcome our students. Thanks also to our dedicated Information Technology team for seeing that our instructional technology and software are ready for teachers, staff, and students.
As we look forward to the start of this exciting new academic year, we would like to express our heartfelt appreciation for your ongoing support. Your involvement and engagement in your child's education play a vital role in their success, and we are grateful to have such a strong partnership with our school community.
Keep reading for details on Braves’ Day, staffing, important dates, Braves’ Club, transportation, Breakfast After the Bell, and communication tools.
We have some new faces and changes on campus:
- Corey Catubo – Preschool Assistant
- Lisa Hedlund - First Grade Teacher
- Katie Wigal – Second-Grade Teacher
- Kelly Jungquist – Third Grade Teacher
- Keith Hunter – LAP/Title 1
- Karen Rentko – Elementary Band/Music Teacher
- Sheena Jones – Secondary Administrative Assistant
- Aaron Gruber – Secondary PE/Health
- Julia G. Johnson – HS Math
- Ryan Hiller – CTE Programs, Digital Photography, and Yearbook
- Danial Hansen – HS Math
- Juliene Wall – HS SPED Teacher
- Eric Crinklaw – Secondary School Counselor
- Pam Keller – Volleyball Head Coach
- Kamea Luna – Volleyball Assistant Coach
- Kahneesha Casey – Winter Cheer Head Coach
- Madison Huscher – Girls’ Soccer Head Coach
- Christine Tripp – Athletic Director and Secondary Principal
- David Cram – Director of Finance, Operations, Transportation, Human Resources, and Risk Management
- Dr. Will Makoyiisaaminaa (Nelson) - Special Services Director and Superintendent
As we begin another school year at La Conner, there are many things to make you aware of so you will be able to support your child’s education. First, there are some important dates to remember:
- August 16 - HS Football started
- August 21 - HS Soccer and Volleyball started
- August 29 – Braves’ Day/Open House (8:00 am - 3:00 pm)
- August 30 - First day of classes K-12 (8:10 – 11:40)
- September 7 and 8 - First day of Little Braves' Preschool (8:30-noon M, T, Th, F)
- September 6 - Late Start Wednesdays begin (9:20 am)
- September 6 – Native American Parent Advisory Committee (NAPAC) (6:30-8:00 pm)
- September 11 – Picture Day for Elementary students (K-5)
- September 13 - Advisory Committee for Education (ACE) (5:00 - 6:30 pm)
August 29 – Braves’ Day (8:00 - 3:00 pm)
We are so excited to welcome students and families back to school on August 29 for Braves’ Day! Students and families will check in at the welcome table in the elementary loop. Visit booths and tables to complete registration forms, pick up student laptops (grades 6-12), have school photos taken, etc. Meet with advisory/homeroom teachers in their classrooms for goal setting, schedule review, and support. Teachers will take attendance; this is considered a school day, treated like our mid-year conference days.
To help with the flow of traffic, parents are invited to bring students on the following schedule according to student last names. (However, we recognize that flexibility is needed, and invite families to come when they can throughout the day):
- 8:00 – 9:00 am A-D
- 9:00 – 10:00 am E - H
- 10:00 - 11:00 am I - M
- 11:00 am - 12:00 pm - Classrooms closed for lunch and prep
- 12:00 - 1:00 pm N - R
- 1:00 - 2:00 pm S - V
- 2:00 - 3:00 pm W - Z
Families are invited to visit each of their students' classes, meet teachers and staff, and, following the completion of all registration tasks, students and families are free to go.
There will be no district transportation available on Braves’ Day.
August 30 – First day of classes Grades K-12 (8:10 - 11:40). As has been our tradition, the first day of classes will be an early release day. Students will have breakfast after the bell, and sack lunches will be available as students head home.
Breakfast After the Bell: The district is fortunate to receive funding that enables us to provide breakfast for all students at the start of each school day. Students will enjoy a free "breakfast after the bell," in their homeroom or first-period classes, delivered by our food service staff each day. Questions, please contact Food Services Director Kelly Kjarstad at 360-466-3171 ext. 2520
https://www.lcsd.wednet.edu/domain/87
Transportation: Buses will be dropping students off at school between 7:55 and 8:00; school doors will open for all students at 7:55. This later arrival means that student pick-up on bus routes will be roughly 10 minutes later this year than last. Look for the bus routes to be posted on our website for more information. Please contact your student’s school about transportation needs. Same-day transportation changes must be received 30 minutes before school is dismissed.
Little Braves’ Preschool has relocated to the Elementary building this year. Our enrolled 3 and 4-year-olds will be on campus Mon, Tues, Thurs, and Friday from 8:30-noon. Ms. Coral Harper is returning as our lead Preschool Teacher.
Braves’ Club will be serving students after school between 2:40 and 5:30 M-F and on late start Wednesdays beginning at 8:00 am. Please contact Marlene Brenton at mbrenton@lc.k12.wa.us or 360-399-1921 to register students for the Braves’ Club.
Throughout the year, we will keep you updated on school events, academic achievements, and opportunities for parental involvement; we communicate via Remind and encourage all families to join the list for each student’s school (See instructions below). Please do not hesitate to reach out to us if you have any questions, concerns, or suggestions; call our main line at 360-466-3171 and follow the prompts to the appropriate building or program. We value your feedback and believe open communication is essential to fostering a thriving learning environment. Let's make this academic year one of growth, learning, and memorable experiences for our students.
To join Remind for La Conner Elementary, text @laconnere to the number 81010. To join La Conner Middle School, text @laconnerm to 81010; for the High School, text @laconnerh to 81010. Don’t have a mobile phone? Go to rmd.at/laconnere, or rmd.at/laconnerm, or rmd.at/laconnerh on a desktop computer to sign up for email notifications.
Thank you for entrusting us with your child’s education.
With warmest regards,
Will Makoyiisaaminaa (Nelson), EdD
Superintendent
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